Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal: Chukwueze suffers Anfield heartbreak
Chukwueze was handed a starting role by Unai Emery against Jurgen Klopp’s side but the Nigerian was unable to replicate his goal-scoring magic
Samuel Chukwueze and his Villarreal teammates have all the work to do if they are to make it to the final of the UEFA Champions League this season.
Despite their resolute display at Anfield Wednesday night, the Yellow Submarines were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in their first leg semi-final contest.
Chukwueze was handed a starting role by Unai Emery against Jurgen Klopp’s side but the Nigerian was unable to replicate his goal-scoring magic as he did against Bayern in Wednesday’s tie.
Instead, an own goal from Pervis Estupinan and a Sadio Mane strike sealed a strong first-leg advantage for the Reds.
After enjoying the seven-goal thriller between Manchester City and Real Madrid on Tuesday, some were expecting something special in Wednesday’s David vs Goliath pairing but the game was never likely to match the excitement of the Etihad battle.
Unai Emery's side defended resolutely for much of the game, managing to get to half-time goalless, but they were ultimately undone by some typically fast attacking from Jurgen Klopp's team in the second half.
This was Liverpool's 12th European Cup or Champions League semi-final, with no English side playing in the final four more often (level with Manchester United), and was also the first time the Reds have played in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, FA Cup and European Cup in the same campaign, and it was that experience of the big occasion that ultimately shone through.
It was a tentative start from the home side, though Mane will have expected to do better with a header when found by a neat cross from Mohamed Salah early on with the Senegalese forward directing his effort wide.
Thiago Alcantara came as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock in the first half with a shot from almost 30 yards that crashed against the left-hand post, but the visitors did a good job of frustrating the Premier League side in the opening 45 minutes.
An electric beginning to the second half from Klopp's side finally saw them take the lead in the 53rd minute, with Jordan Henderson's cross from the right taking a fortunate deflection off the foot of Estupinan and flying past Rulli at his near post.
Another arrived just two minutes later as a good passing move ended with Salah sliding a ball through to Mane, who prodded under the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to the Reds.
The Yellow Submarine avoided further damage but have it all to do when the two meet again in the second leg at the El Madrigal next Tuesday.
What does it mean? Liverpool show patience to breakthrough, again
Liverpool finally overcame a determined Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, it was said to be perfect preparation for Villarreal, who were always going to come to Anfield to frustrate in the first leg.
That proved to be the case as, like with the Toffees, Villarreal kept Liverpool at bay in the first half, running down the clock, blocking all attacks and keeping their net unbothered.
However, the relentless Reds again managed to force a couple of second half goals, having had 19 shots in all, facing just one solitary effort from the visitors.
What’s next?
Liverpool travel to Newcastle United on Saturday as they resume their title chase in the Premier League, while Villarreal are away to Deportivo Alaves on the same day.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder has been purring in Liverpool's midfield in recent games, and he was on form again here as he helped to dissect a stubborn opposition.
